Thomas G. Ciarlone, Jr.

Biography

With over two decades of litigation experience in trial and appellate courts across the country, Tom focuses on large, complex, and high-stakes cases. Although his practice encompasses virtually all forms of contentious business disputes, his principal focus is energy-related litigation.

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Tom is a Shareholder at Kane Russell Coleman Logan PC, where he serves as the Co-Chair of the Energy, Oil & Gas Practice Group, and for many years he sat on the firm's Board of Directors. Tom has been named a "Rising Star" by Super Lawyers; included among the "Best Lawyers in America," published by U.S. News & World Report; selected by the San Antonio Business Journal for its annual list of "Who's Who in Energy"; and recognized by Houstonia Magazine as one of the top energy attorneys in Houston.

When royalties and other mineral interests are hotly contested, Tom is known for his thoughtful treatment—in the courtroom and on the papers—of the many intricacies that drive title controversies and deed-construction cases to successful conclusions. He represents clients in matters involving allegations of the underpayment and miscalculation of royalties; violations of continuous drilling and development obligations; and improper deductions for transportation, processing, and other post-production expenses. His diverse industry background also includes advising E&Ps and pipeline companies in mineral trespass and surface-use disputes, and in related proceedings for emergency and preliminary injunctive relief.

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In addition, Tom often assists operators and oilfield service providers navigate disputes surrounding the breach of supply, service, and confidentiality agreements and the theft and misappropriation of trade secrets. When mineral owners are impossible to find, or when they finally emerge after long absences, he helps oil-and-gas companies establish, administer, and wind down mineral receiverships to ensure that time-sensitive operations are never impeded by missing or emerging interest owners. And, in the event business relationships sour, Tom has earned a reputation for diplomatically—and, when push comes to shove, aggressively—resolving disagreements among joint interest partners and other collaborators in the oil patch.

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Tom brings to his practice both broad and deep practical experience in the energy sector, which encompasses helping clients with title issues, seismic-related disputes, drilling operations and surface damages, royalty underpayments, offset drilling and development, bad-faith pooling, cessation of production, and lease termination.

Tom received his J.D. in 2001 from Cornell Law School, where he served as an editor on the Cornell International Law Journal. He completed his undergraduate studies, magna cum laude, in 1998 at New York University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.

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Tom is a certified mediator and received his training at the Center for Public Policy Dispute Resolution at The University of Texas School of Law. He is also the host of Energy Law Round Up, a podcast about legal news and developments in the energy industry.